LEGAL INFORMATION

The best advise is that it is safest to ensure your lawyer checks all contracts before you sign and that all payments are made through your lawyer.

Many people happily buy and live in Spanish country homes.  Property in the countryside (campo) can be cheaper than buying along the coast, quieter with a slower pace of life and the balance of the coast and towns nearby.  There is a wide choice of property available (including modern villas, country houses, ruins for renovation) located in many different environments (including olive groves, mountains, cliffside views).  And of course for many, there is the joy of living in the 'real Spain' amongst the campo population with far fewer ex-pats than you would find on the Costa's. 

Handy Hints

Before you buy, have a think about:

• How isolated do you want to be?
• Are you familiar with what living in the country in Spain will involve (the good and the not so good)? 
• How far do you want to be from the doctor/hospital?
• How far do you want to be from the supermarket?
• If you are planning to stay in the property long term, how might your needs change over time and with age?
• Do you speak and understand enough Spanish to allow you to deal with daily life?  If not, can you learn once you are in Spain?
• What is there for you to do socially?
• How might the environment change over the seasons?
• How much is it going to cost you to buy and live in the campo?

Did you know....

• The golden rule when buying in the campo is never buy until various things and especially the property paperwork are correct and up to date - and get a lawyer to confirm this.
• It is not possible by law to build on a lot of land that is classified as 'rural'. So if you are planning to build on the land, you need a lawyer to find out before you buy if you will be able to get the necessary permissions to build legally.  You also need to know whether you can legally refurbish any existing buildings.

Property Paperwork

Many expats buy in the country in a legal and simple manner. However, buying in the country can sometimes take longer than buying resale property because of paperwork. 

In Spain for centuries, country property/land has been passed from parents to children without any title deeds confirming who is the legal owner. Similarly owners have sold their property/land without legalising this or built on the land without getting the proper permissions.  Only the legal owner can apply to legalise property/land and this process takes time and costs money.  Many owners only apply to legalise when they want to sell and the owner should legalise all the property/land before you buy.  

Your lawyer should check all the property paperwork is correct and all the property and land is legalised before advising you that you can buy in a legal manner.  If it is not possible to legalise, you may be advised by your lawyer not to buy because of the risks involved. 

Once everything is legalised, the process is the same as for 'Buying a Resale Property'.